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Planning one of the best day trips from Helsinki? From visiting Nuuksio National Park to the town of Porvoo, these make for an amazing day out!
Helsinki is one of those places that should be on everyone’s bucket list. It has so much natural beauty, unique history, and it’s popping with fun Nordic culture. I always recommend spending a couple of days in the city to really get a feel for the place. However, there are also some stunning day trips from Helsinki that are really accessible and easy to do.
I love a good day trip. It means that you get to see a ton of different places all in one trip, and honestly, Helsinki is the ideal base to explore from.
Whether you’re looking for the wild spaces of Nuuksio National Park, want to indulge in sauna culture in Tampere, or fancy checking out a neighbouring capital in Estonia’s Tallinn, there are so many options when it comes to exploring the countryside around Helsinki.
There’s a little something for everyone with these awesome day trips. It doesn’t matter if you’re travelling with kiddos, are looking for a romantic day out, or are a solo adventurer looking for that next wild spot. Finland can deliver it all and more!
Most of the day trips listed here are within two hours of Helsinki, and the ones further afield are still doable if you set off early. I’ve also listed a few of my favourite tours to make things even easier. Hopefully you can use this blog post when planning your trip to Helsinki!
Are you planning an amazing holiday to Helsinki? If so, you may want to book your hotels and tours asap to ensure availability. Here are some links to quickly help plan your trip!
Best hotels and apartments in Helsinki:
- Lapland Hotels Bulevardi (best rated 5* hotel)
- Scandic Helsinki Hub (best rated 4* hotel)
- Citybox Helsinki (super cheap with great reviews)
Best activities and tours in Helsinki:
How many days do you need in Helsinki?
The first time I visited Helsinki I only had 12 hours, after catching the first ferry over from Estonia, and it really wasn’t enough. When I came back for six days on my second trip, that’s when the city clicked for me.
If you can, I’d give Helsinki at least three days. Two days lets you cover the highlights like Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, the Design District and the Old Market Hall, plus a proper Finnish sauna (you can’t come to Finland without having one!). Then use your third day for one of the easier trips, like Suomenlinna, which is just 15 minutes away by ferry, or a half day in Porvoo or Nuuksio National Park.
With four or five days, Helsinki becomes a brilliant base. You can hop on the ferry to Tallinn for the day, or catch the train to Turku or Tampere and still be back in time for dinner. Trains in Finland are fast and comfortable, so it’s a great way of getting around the country.
My advice? Mix it up. Do a day in the city, a day in nature and a day somewhere completely new, and you’ll get a real feel for what Finland is all about.
Quick overview
Here’s a quick look at the best day trips from Helsinki, in order of popularity.
| Destination | Journey time | Best mode of transport | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suomenlinna | 15 min by ferry | Ferry | History: a UNESCO-listed sea fortress |
| Tallinn, Estonia | Around 2 hours by ferry | Ferry | City break: a medieval Old Town in another country |
| Porvoo | 45 min by car / 50-70 min by bus | Bus | Charm: cobbled streets and red riverside houses |
| Nuuksio National Park | 40 min by car / around 1 hour by train and bus | Train & bus | Nature: forest trails and lakes |
| Turku | Around 2 hours by train / 2 hours by car | Train | History: Finland’s oldest city, its castle and cathedral |
| Tampere | 1h30-1h55 by train / 2 hours by car | Train | Saunas and family days out |
| Espoo | 15-25 min by metro or train / 25 min by car | Metro | Art and summer fun: EMMA and Serena Water Park |
| Pihlajasaari | 10-15 min by waterbus (summer only) | Waterbus | Beaches: sandy swimming spots and nature trails |
| Hämeenlinna | 1h-1h20 by train / 1h15 by car | Train | Castles: medieval Häme Castle on the lake |
| Lahti | 50 min-1 hour by train / 1h15 by car | Train | Culture: Sibelius Hall and the harbour |
| Hanko | 1h50-2 hours by train / 1h45 by car | Car | Beaches: Finland’s classic summer seaside town |
| Saimaa Lake District | 2h10 by train / 2h30 by car | Train | Lakes: watersports and lakeside nature |
| Rauma | 2h45 by car / 3h45-4 hours by bus | Car | Heritage: a UNESCO-listed wooden Old Town |
If you’re travelling by train or ferry, you can check times and compare ticket prices on Omio, which brings together routes from different rail operators so you can book everything in one place.
Day trips from Helsinki, Finland
Suomenlinna
Located just a 15-minute ferry ride from central Helsinki, Suomenlinna is the perfect day trip if you’re short on time or don’t want to travel too far. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a bastion of Finnish military history, as the whole thing is one big sea fortress spread across six islands.
It’s even nicknamed the Gibraltar of the North! You can wander around at your leisure, and there are still plenty of barracks, cannons, and other 18th-century military relics to explore. It’s a great place if you love history and naval architecture!
In summer, you can even get a boat ticket and guided tour together from around €26, so it’s a great way of exploring this fascinating fortress.
By public transport: Around 15 minutes on the HSL ferry from Market Square (Kauppatori), which runs all year round.
By car: Not possible, as visitors can’t take cars over to the island. Park in central Helsinki and catch the ferry from Market Square.
Tallinn
Tallinn is one of the most popular day trips from Helsinki, and it’s easy to see why. Hop on the 2-hour ferry from Helsinki and arrive in the beautiful Estonian capital for your Tallinn day trip. I actually did this trip the other way round the first time I visited Helsinki, so I can vouch for how easy it is. Stop off in the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and get lost in the cobbled alleyways and side streets.
Tallinn’s history blends Hanseatic, Scandinavian and Soviet influences, so I can honestly say it’s unlike anywhere else. There’s also a huge tech scene in the city, with creatives working alongside the old, fairytale architecture. It’s a super cool city to visit.
A return day trip ferry ticket with Tallink Silja costs from around €43, and you can book it here.
By public transport: Around 2 hours by Tallink Silja ferry from Helsinki’s West Harbour (Viking Line and Eckerö Line take between 2 hours 15 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes).
By car: About 2 hours on the Tallink Silja car ferry from West Harbour, plus time to check in.
Porvoo
If you’re looking for old-world charm and quirky wooden architecture, head to the town of Porvoo. It’s around a 45-minute drive, or there’s a regular bus from Kamppi which takes about an hour. Porvoo is one of the oldest towns in Finland, dating all the way back to the 14th century, so there is a ton of history all around.
More recently, Porvoo has become home to amazing restaurants and cafes, putting the town on the map as a foodie destination. Wander around the cobbled streets, take in the famous red riverside houses, and enjoy the old port before sitting down for a delicious meal. Sounds like a perfect Helsinki day trip to me!
In summer, you can even cruise there from Market Square on the J.L. Runeberg, a historic steamship built in 1912. The journey takes around three hours, so it’s a lovely way to see the archipelago. Want someone else to do the driving? This small-group Porvoo tour costs from around €125 and includes pickup in Helsinki.
By public transport: Around 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes by OnniBus or regional bus from Kamppi bus station (there’s no train to Porvoo).
By car: About 45 minutes from Helsinki along the E18.
Nuuksio National Park
Considering that Nuuksio National Park is less than an hour from Helsinki, it really does feel like you’re in a whole other world. This stunning and wild national park is filled with beautiful forests and lakes, and it’s the perfect antidote to city life.
Strap on your hiking boots and head out on one of the many well-marked trails around the national park. Haukkalampi is a great place to start, with a nature hut and trails heading off into the forest. If you’re coming by bus, it’s around a 2km walk from the Haukkalammentie stop. In winter, you can even swap your boots for snowshoes on a guided snowshoe hike!
This is one of the best national parks in Finland, so it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. If you’re looking for a tour from Helsinki, I’d really recommend this half-day trip with a biologist guide. It costs from around €56 and takes care of everything for you.
By public transport: Around 1 hour by commuter train from Helsinki Central Station to Espoo station, then bus 245 or 245A towards Nuuksio.
By car: About 40 minutes from Helsinki to the Haukkalampi entrance.
Turku
The former capital of Finland and the oldest city in the entire country, Turku is one of the most popular Helsinki day trips that you can go on. It’s around two hours from Helsinki by direct train, so it’s a full-day trip, but there is so much to see and do when you get there, you’ll have no problem filling your day!
Turku is really well known for its castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and its stunning cathedral. So, if you’re into history and architecture, you need to make sure that Turku is at the top of your Helsinki day trip itinerary!
By public transport: Around 2 hours by direct VR train from Helsinki Central Station.
By car: About 2 hours along the E18 motorway.
Tampere
One of the things that Finland is most well known for is its sauna culture. It’s amazing. Tampere is widely considered to be the sauna capital of Finland, which is why it’s undoubtedly one of the best day trips from Helsinki! The best bit? You can get there by taking a direct train north, and the fastest Pendolino services take just 1 hour 30 minutes.
Travelling with kids in tow? Tampere is probably one of the best cities in Finland for family holidays, with Särkänniemi Amusement Park, the Spy Museum, and the Moomin Museum all calling this awesome city home.
By public transport: Around 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 55 minutes by direct VR train from Helsinki Central Station.
By car: About 2 hours along Highway 3 (E12).
Espoo
Located just 25 minutes from Helsinki by car, metro or commuter train is the vibrant city of Espoo. Here you’ll find the brilliant Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA) in Tapiola, as well as Espoo Cathedral, a medieval stone church that dates back to the 1480s. The cathedral is closed for renovation until the end of 2027, but the outside and its riverside setting are still worth a look.
Aside from museums and history, you can also have tons of summer fun in Espoo. Whether you’re looking to hop around the islands or splash about at Serena Water Park, the biggest water park in Finland, it’s definitely the place to be on the long Finnish summer days. Just check the opening times first, as outside of summer Serena is mainly open at weekends and during school holidays.
By public transport: Around 15-25 minutes by metro to Tapiola or by commuter train to Espoo station.
By car: About 25 minutes from central Helsinki.
Pihlajasaari
If you’re in Helsinki during the summer months and want a quintessential Finnish island day trip, jump on the waterbus and head to Pihlajasaari. It’s super popular with tourists and locals alike thanks to its nature trails and sandy beaches.
Be aware though, one of the beaches on Pihlajasaari is a nudist beach, so if you’re more reserved, check which beach is which before you show up looking a bit overdressed! On the trails, you can also spot a whole host of native plants and wildlife.
By public transport: Around 10-15 minutes on the JT-Line waterbus from Merisatama or Ruoholahti (mid-May to the end of August only).
By car: Not possible, as it’s an island. Drive to the Merisatama pier, around 10 minutes from the city centre, and catch the waterbus from there.
Hämeenlinna
If it’s history you’re after, the town of Hämeenlinna has it by the bucket-load. The town grew up around its medieval castle, and it’s also the birthplace of Jean Sibelius, Finland’s most famous composer. It’s only an hour or so from Helsinki by train, and the main attraction is Häme Castle, which sits right on the shores of Lake Vanajavesi.
Over the years, Häme Castle has been a military fort, a residence for Swedish nobility, and even a prison. In fact, prisoners were held here from 1837 right up until 1972! Nowadays there are cultural exhibitions and events that bring the history of the town to life, and the old prison next door is now a museum that opens from May to September.
By public transport: Around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes by direct VR train from Helsinki Central Station.
By car: About 1 hour 15 minutes along Highway 3 (E12).
Lahti
Looking for a city with a completely different vibe? Lahti is around an hour north-east of Helsinki by train and was well known for being an industrial city. Like a lot of industrial towns and cities, Lahti has had a ton of investment in recent years, so it’s a cool blend of industrial and modern.
One of the most famous things in Lahti is its symphony orchestra, so it’s well worth trying to grab tickets for a performance at Sibelius Hall while you’re there for the day. You’ll also find a load of amazing eateries on the waterfront, plus a musical fountain in Pikku-Vesijärvi Park that puts on an evening show from summer into autumn. Lahti is famous for its ski jumps and winter sports too, so it’s a fun one to visit in the colder months.
By public transport: Around 50 minutes to 1 hour by direct VR train from Helsinki Central Station.
By car: About 1 hour 15 minutes along Highway 4 (E75).
Hanko
You might not have heard of the Finnish Riviera before, but after spending a day on the sunny and sandy shores of Hanko, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t come sooner! It’s a classic summer spa town that has everything you need to enjoy a day of fun in the sun.
It’s around two hours south-west of Helsinki by train and sits right at the southernmost tip of mainland Finland. Spend some time on the soft sands, enjoy the beach huts, and have some world-class cuisine and sun-filled cocktails on the East Harbour. There are also a ton of boutiques if you’re in need of a souvenir or two…
By public transport: Around 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours by VR train from Helsinki Central Station, changing at Karis (Karjaa) for the local train to Hanko.
By car: About 1 hour 45 minutes from Helsinki.
Saimaa Lake District
In need of some water-based fun and relaxation? Head around two hours east by train to Lappeenranta, which sits on the shores of Finland’s largest lake, Saimaa. Whether you want to indulge in some watersports or fishing, or you want to stay on dry land and hike around the forests that surround the lakes, Saimaa is one of the most peaceful spots in Finland.
Around the lake district, you’ll find several towns and villages with cafes, shops, and other amenities, but I’d recommend packing up a picnic and getting back in touch with nature! It’s one of the further trips on this list, so make sure you set off early.
By public transport: Around 2 hours 10 minutes by direct VR train from Helsinki Central Station to Lappeenranta.
By car: About 2 hours 30 minutes from Helsinki to Lappeenranta.
Rauma
Step back in time in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Rauma. Old Rauma is filled with colourful wooden buildings, many dating back to the 18th century, and wandering around really does feel like time travelling. From rows of shops to a market hall and more, Old Rauma sometimes feels like a living museum, but around 800 people still live in its 600 wooden houses.
Rauma is the furthest trip on this list, so it makes for a long day. I’d only do it as a day trip in summer when the days are long, or better still, stay the night!
By public transport: Around 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours by direct OnniBus or FlixBus coach from Kamppi bus station (there are no passenger trains to Rauma).
By car: About 2 hours 45 minutes from Helsinki.
So, there you have it, my 13 best day trips from Helsinki! Which one would you go on first? Let me know in the comments below, and if you’ve already been to any of these places, I’d love to hear how you got on.
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